A strong upper level system moved through the Eastern United States late Tuesday into early Wednesday. The associated surface low pressure system pressed north northeast from the Lower Mississippi across the Mid South on its way across the Lower Ohio Valley.
Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS MRX wrote it up.
A strong upper level system moved through the Eastern United States late Tuesday into early Wednesday. The associated surface low pressure system pressed north northeast from the Lower Mississippi across the Mid South on its way across the Lower Ohio Valley. While there were reports of damaging straight line wind with some of the thunderstorms generated ahead of the system cold front, the main and concentrated areas of damage were associated with tornadic supercell thunderstorms. The supercell storms developed in an area of strong shear and sufficient; albeit weak instability. Tornadoes formed in a zone favorable to rotating thunderstorm updrafts just north of a warm frontal boundary across the Tennessee Valley of Alabama northeast through Southeast Tennessee. Three tornadoes developed during the early morning hours on Wednesday, November 30th; impacting McMinn, Polk, Marion, and Sequatchie counties.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Morristown, TN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Nov 28, 6:15 AM EST, 1 hour 30 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Morristown TN
615 AM EST Mon Nov 28 2016
.AVIATION...
Current VFR at KCHA will degrade to MVFR cigs late morning as
moisture from approaching trough moves into the area. KTRI/KTYS
also see lowering cigs through the day...but will maintain VFR at 5
kft in downsloping winds. Sfc winds at all terminals increase and
become gusty by late morning as strong low level jet approaches.
LLWS will be an issue at all terminals by evening...becoming
strongest around midnight before weakening at all terminals by the
end of the TAF period. Pcpn expected to start at KCHA by midnight
and overnight at KTRI/KTYS. Expect reduced MVFR vsby in showers...
however brief IFR vsby in heavier showers will be possible.
&&
.MRX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NC...High Wind Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 AM EST Tuesday
for Cherokee-Clay.
TN...High Wind Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 AM EST Tuesday
for Blount Smoky Mountains-Cocke Smoky Mountains-Johnson-
Northwest Carter-Sevier Smoky Mountains-Southeast Carter-
Southeast Greene-Southeast Monroe-Unicoi.
Wind Advisory from 1 PM EST /noon CST/ this afternoon to 7 AM
EST /6 AM CST/ Tuesday for Anderson-Bledsoe-Bradley-
Campbell-Claiborne-East Polk-Grainger-Hamblen-Hamilton-
Hancock-Hawkins-Jefferson-Knox-Loudon-Marion-McMinn-Meigs-
Morgan-NW Blount-North Sevier-Northwest Cocke-Northwest
Greene-Northwest Monroe-Rhea-Roane-Scott TN-Sequatchie-
Sullivan-Union-Washington TN-West Polk.
VA...High Wind Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 AM EST Tuesday
for Wise.
Wind Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 AM EST Tuesday for
Lee-Russell-Scott-Washington.
&&HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN 425 AM EST MON NOV 28 2016 NCZ060-061-TNZ012>018-035>047-067>074-081>087-098>102-VAZ001-002- 005-006-008-290930- CHEROKEE-CLAY-SCOTT TN-CAMPBELL-CLAIBORNE-HANCOCK-HAWKINS- SULLIVAN-JOHNSON-MORGAN-ANDERSON-UNION-GRAINGER-HAMBLEN- NORTHWEST COCKE-COCKE SMOKY MOUNTAINS-NORTHWEST GREENE- SOUTHEAST GREENE-WASHINGTON TN-UNICOI-NORTHWEST CARTER- SOUTHEAST CARTER-ROANE-LOUDON-KNOX-JEFFERSON-NW BLOUNT- BLOUNT SMOKY MOUNTAINS-NORTH SEVIER-SEVIER SMOKY MOUNTAINS- SEQUATCHIE-BLEDSOE-RHEA-MEIGS-MCMINN-NORTHWEST MONROE- SOUTHEAST MONROE-MARION-HAMILTON-BRADLEY-WEST POLK-EAST POLK-LEE- WISE-SCOTT-RUSSELL-WASHINGTON- 425 AM EST MON NOV 28 2016 /325 AM CST MON NOV 28 2016/ THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA...EAST TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY THROUGH TUESDAY ...HIGH WIND WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON UNTIL TUESDAY MORNING FOR THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS AND MOUNTAINS IN WISE COUNTY VIRGINIA...FAR EAST TENNESSEE...SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA. ...WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON UNTIL TUESDAY MORNING FOR THE REMAINDER OF EAST TENNESSEE...SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...AND SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA. ...A MARGINAL CHANCE OF SEVERE STORMS ACROSS SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE TUESDAY AFTERNOON... A FRONTAL BOUNDARY WILL APPROACH THE AREA TUESDAY PRODUCING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. DUE TO THE STRONG WINDS AND COLD AIR ALOFT...STORMS COULD BE STRONG AND SOME MAY EVEN BECOME SEVERE...ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE SOUTHERN TN VALLEY. THE MAIN THREAT WILL BE HAIL AND STRONG DAMAGING WINDS. DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH INSTABILITY WILL BE AVAILABLE...AN ISOLATED TORNADO IS ALSO POSSIBLE. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY ...A MARGINAL CHANCE OF SEVERE STORMS ACROSS SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING... A FRONTAL BOUNDARY WILL MOVE SLOWLY ACROSS THE AREA TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING PRODUCING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. DUE TO THE STRONG WINDS AND COLD AIR ALOFT...STORMS COULD BE STRONG AND SOME MAY EVEN BECOME SEVERE...ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE SOUTHERN TN VALLEY. THE MAIN THREAT WILL BE HAIL AND STRONG DAMAGING WINDS. DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH INSTABILITY WILL BE AVAILABLE...AN ISOLATED TORNADO IS ALSO POSSIBLE. BESIDES THE HIGH WINDS...PERIODS OF RAIN CAN ALSO BE EXPECTED MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT. TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES ACROSS NORTHEAST TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA WITH 2 TO 4 INCHES OVER SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... AT THIS TIME...SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED...BUT MAY BE NEEDED FOR TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. EJH
The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 37 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:44 UTC.
34 thunderstorm wind, 4 tornado, 2 high wind, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Highs winds caused heavy damage to the roof of the Smoky Mountain elementary school in Cosby. The cafeteria, library, and gymnasium suffered the most damage.
A few trees and large tree limbs were reported down.
A tornado formed in far northern Marion County, about one half mile from the Sequatchie County border and quickly intensified to a strong EF-2 tornado with winds of 130 mph as it crossed into Sequatchie County. A double wide mobile home was completely destroyed and an adjacent church roof was heavily damaged. The tornado passed through a grove of trees snapping nearly all of them halfway up the trunk. The strong tornado passed through a farm and caused significant damage to a two story family home. This part of the tornado path was determined to be at the high end of the EF-2 rating. As the tornado continued along a northeasterly track, two additional homes were heavily damaged before moving along an unpopulated ridge. The tornado likely skipped along this ridge as it crossed Highway 127 and then crossed Highway 111. A mobile home roof was completely removed near the corner of Shell Road and Tri Mile Road along with numerous trees that were either uprooted or snapped. The damage track seemed to end near Snow Bird Lane and Raven Cliff Road. Rear flank downdraft damage was noted farther east along Lewis Chapel Road to about Laurelwood Trail. Major roof damage was seen along Natures Trail and Lewis Chapel Road where winds were estimated around 100 mph.
A tornado formed in far northern Marion County, about one half mile from the Sequatchie County border and quickly intensified to a strong EF-2 tornado with winds of 130 mph as it crossed into Sequatchie County. A double wide mobile home was completely destroyed and an adjacent church roof was heavily damaged. The tornado passed through a grove of trees snapping nearly all of them halfway up the trunk. The strong tornado passed through a farm and caused significant damage to a two story family home. This part of the tornado path was determined to be at the high end of the EF-2 rating. As the tornado continued along a northeasterly track, two additional homes were heavily damaged before moving along an unpopulated ridge. The tornado likely skipped along this ridge as it crossed Highway 127 and then crossed Highway 111. A mobile home roof was completely removed near the corner of Shell Road and Tri Mile Road along with numerous trees that were either uprooted or snapped. The damage track seemed to end near Snow Bird Lane and Raven Cliff Road. Rear flank downdraft damage was noted farther east along Lewis Chapel Road to about Laurelwood Trail. Major roof damage was seen along Natures Trail and Lewis Chapel Road where winds were estimated around 100 mph.
A roof was blown off a home and windows were blown out at 5071 Alvin York Highway at Powell Crossroads area. Minor damage was reported at another home where some power lines were downed at two chicken houses were destroyed.
A few trees were reported down in the New Hope community.
Trees and power lines were reported down.
Two semi truck trailers were overturned. Also, several structures were damaged and there were trees downed across the county.
Trees and power lines were reported down.
Trees and power lines were reported down.
Trees and power lines were reported down.
Doors were blown off a church building and power lines were reported down.
The tornado developed near the intersection of county road 700 and 705 where some minor tree damage was observed. The tornado maintained its intensity as it paralleled Cedar Springs Road and damaged a covered walkway just to the south of Athens along South Jackson Street. It continued to the northeast with the most catastrophic damage along its path occurring along Old Athens Madisonville Road where a few mobile homes were destroyed. The tornado weakened as it moved to the northeast with mostly tree damage; eventually lifting around the intersection of TN-307 and County Road 350. Two people were killed and twenty were injured as the tornado moved across the county.
At the intersection of state road 30 and 39 in Athens, a roof was blown off a building, other structures were damaged, trees were downed and roads were blocked south of Athens.
Several homes were destroyed in Deerfield Estates. Injuries were reported.
Damage was reported extending along a line from County Road 700 across Athens along Highway 307. Multiple reports of trees, downed power lines, and damage to homes were received.
Trees were uprooted and a hole was punched in the roof of a residence.
Power lines were reported down.
A wind gust of 59 miles an hour was reported.
The tornado formed south of Ocoee with several large trees snapped. It strengthened to an EF-2 and moved north northeast and collapsed a cell phone tower. It quickly increased to an EF-3 and heavily damaged a post office. Several more buildings were heavily damaged along with some manufactured homes. Two fatalities occurred in the manufactured housing. Twenty other people were injured in this area. The tornado weakened to an EF-0 as it moved northeast towards Benton. It snapped off the tops of a few pine trees.
Structural damage was reported to several buildings along highway 411 and Stump Street.
Several trees were reported down.
The wind gust was recorded at Cove Mountain tower.
A building was damaged at Knox Glass Company.
Several trees and power lines were reported down.
Trees and power lines were reported down.
Trees were reported down.
Trees were reported down in the Decatur area.
Trees and power lines were downed in the Athens area. Widespread power outages were reported.
Several trees were downed and a utility building was blown over.
Trees were reported down.
Trees were reported down.
Several trees were reported down in Knoxville.
One roof was removed completely from a home. Roof damage was reported at a nearby home and barn.
Numerous trees were reported down across the county.
Several trees were reported down across the county.
A few trees were reported down.
A few trees were reported down on the west side of Chattanooga.
A few trees were reported down on roadways.
A few roads were covered by water and partially closed.
Several roads partially closed due to water.
Several trees were reported down.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tornado, Polk | 2016-11-30 | Male | Mobile/Trailer Home | Direct | |
| Tornado, Polk | 2016-11-30 | Female | Mobile/Trailer Home | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Tennessee in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Tennessee, 2016Warnings in Tennessee, November 2016
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 667773, 662324, 662286, 663582, 662325, 662326, 662327, 662328, 662329, 662330, 662331, 662332, 662288, 662333, 662334, 662335, 662336, 662337, 662357, 662323, 662338, 662339, 667774, 662340, 662341, 662342, 662343, 662344, 662345, 662346, 662347, 662348, 662349, 662350, 662351, 662352, 662353, 662354, 662355, 675455, and more.